R1.4-billion tourism prize for Table Mountain success

April 15, 2011 | Table Mountain Cableway

An independent impact report has predicted a R1.4-billion annual tourism bonanza for South Africa if Table Mountain is named one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

The detailed report conducted by Grant Thornton, a leading tourism hospitality and leisure research company, found that tourism to Table Mountain, and thus Cape Town, would increase by about 20% - approximately 70% of these visitors are expected to be international tourists.

Grant Thornton’s research, based on international and domestic travel trends, takes into account a tourist’s average length of stay and their average spend. This would generate an additional R1.4-billion in revenue for the year or about R116-million a month, and the expenditure would support around 11 000 employment opportunities in South Africa.

Table Mountain has already been voted one of the final 28 sites for the New7Wonders of Nature campaign, with the final seven to be named on November 11, 2011. It is estimated that a billion votes – online and via SMS – will be cast, providing Table Mountain and South Africa with unprecedented marketing exposure.

Grant Thornton based their projections on a similar campaign in which 100-million votes were cast worldwide to vote for the New7Man-made Wonders in 2007. Measurable results were seen at sites which made the top seven shortlist in this campaign. Visitors to Petra in Jordan increased by 61% and visitors to Christ the Redeemer is Brazil increased by 30%.

The New 7 Man Made Wonders has become part of school curriculums all over the world, and if the same happens to the New7Wonders of Nature, children from every corner of the globe will be learning about Table Mountain and South Africa as a destination.

Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold says, “We are in the final stages of voting for the New7Wonders of Nature, the world over; an exciting time for us. It is not only an honour to be rated amongst some of the top natural marvels of the world, but both the recognition of a nomination and our inspirational city being linked to its iconic mountain if we win, continues the awareness of South Africa, and Cape Town, as a tourism destination to potential travelers across the globe. We urge everyone to get into the spirit and vote for Table Mountain!”

Table Mountain is South Africa’s only candidate in the running to be named one of the Official New7Wonders of Nature in the contest run by the New7Wonder Foundation.

To vote for Table Mountain visit www.votefortablemountain.com or SMS “Table” to 34874. SMSes cost R2 each and voters can vote as often as they like.